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Washington AG pushes for confidential licenses to shield undercover investigators

Undercover work just got stealthier in Washington—but will anonymity for investigators come at a cost? Lawmakers weigh privacy against accountability.

, and Administrator

2025 December 11 . 3:32 AM

1 min read

In this picture we can see a close view of the identity card. In the front we can see american flag... — In this picture we can see a close view of the identity card. In the front we can see american flag and "Critical Licence" written.

Washington AG pushes for confidential licenses to shield undercover investigators

The Washington State Office of the Attorney General (AGO) has proposed a plan to acquire confidential driver’s licenses and vehicle plates for its investigators. This proposal aims to expand an existing law that currently permits the Department of Licensing (DOL) to issue such IDs to law enforcement officers engaged in undercover work. Two bills—House Bill 2096 and Senate Bill 5829—have been introduced to formalize this change.

The AGO argues that these confidential IDs are necessary for investigators working on consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental cases. According to Mike Faulk, the AGO’s deputy communications director, the purpose is to enable investigators to pass basic identification checks without revealing their personal details. He also emphasized that the risk of misuse is minimal, as the IDs would not be linked to Social Security numbers and would have very limited applications.

If approved, the new rules would grant AGO investigators greater anonymity during sensitive cases. The bills now await further discussion in the state legislature. Lawmakers will need to consider the benefits of investigator protection against concerns over potential misuse and transparency.